50 years later, Seminoles mark key date

Constitution preserved tribe's legal status and led to prosperity

August 22, 2007|By Kathleen Kernicky Staff Writer

HOLLYWOOD — Fifty years after establishing a modern form of government, the Seminole Tribe of Florida honored its past on Tuesday, wearing traditional clothing, speaking the native language and gathering under the same giant oak tree where elders gathered to sign the tribe's constitution on Aug. 21,1957.

That signing stopped the U.S. government from abolishing the tribe in the 1950s.

"They were going to legislate the tribe out of existence," tribal council member Max Osceola said, as members from across Florida gathered on the Hollywood reservation. Instead, "we evolved from termination to self-determination."

"Oak is a very strong wood. Try to chop it down, and it's going to take a while," said tribal Chairman Mitchell Cypress. "Thank God for 50 years together and ... all we have accomplished."

The tribe has grown from three to six reservations in Florida, with about 3,300 tribal members worldwide. It has built a financial empire in gambling, cattle and hotels, culminating with last year's historic purchase of Hard Rock International. Today, the tribe averages an annual profit of more than $500 million from gambling operations.

Osceola reflected that, 50 years ago, when the tribe's elders traveled to Washington, D.C., to testify before Congress, his uncle held a bake sale to raise money and another uncle volunteered his used car to make the trip.

"I like to say, the Seminoles have always been rich. We just didn't have any money," Osceola said, chuckling.

Tuesday's ceremonies, which included a cultural fashion show and theatrical production by tribe members, honored the tribe's history, heritage and the warriors who defied efforts by the U.S. government to force them to Oklahoma. Tribal leaders also signed a symbolic ivory-colored document, which will be placed in a vault along with the original at the Big Cypress reservation.

"We must always know where we've come from to know where we're going," said Sally R. Tommie, as four flags inscribed with the words heritage, respect, tradition and survival flapped in the breeze. "The wind is with us today."

Today, the tribe offers its members health care and full college scholarships. About 125 Seminoles have college degrees, compared with only two in 1974.

"Now that we've acquired the Hard Rock International, we're going to need more tribal members to manage our businesses," Osceola said. "The role of the elders is to teach our youth the skills they need to survive in the world. When we lived in the Everglades, we taught them to hunt and fish. Nature provided for us. Now, we don't live off the land."

Tina Osceola and her family traveled to the Hollywood reservation from their home in Naples.

"Everyone wants their children to have a sense of identity and pride," she said. "Those before us didn't have it as easy as we have it today. Their bodies are buried on a trail between here and Oklahoma."

Kathleen Kernicky can be reached at kkernicky@sun-sentinel.com 954-385-7907.

ONLINE Seminole tribe members reflect on how far they've come in a video report at Sun-Sentinel.com/broward .